Chess type game with changeable board indicia

ABSTRACT

A game for two, three, or four players involving four sets of playing pieces, and a set of pieces which can be moved by any player. The game is played on a board having a grid of 13 by 13 stations. Of the stations, one group is indicated to be permanently of special significance and another group is indicated to be of special significance during the course of a single game by means of removable markers. In one embodiment the markers are the size one station and are individually removable. In a second embodiment a transparent envelope is secured to the surface of the game board and the markers comprise a plurality of cards having different patterns which cards are interchangeably receivable in the envelope.

United States Patent; 11 1 Isaac Oct. 29, 1974 [54] CHESS TYPE GAME WITH CHANGEABLE 1,235,515 5/1960 France 273/130 E BOARD N ICT 17,534 7/1914 Great Britain 273/131 K 1,202,837 8/1970, Great Britain 273/131 B [76] Inventor: Donald M. lsaac, 17 Saxon Rd.,

Worcester Mass- 01602 Primary Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro [22] Filed; 4 1972 Attorney, Agent, or FirmNorman S. Blodgett; Gerry A. Blodgett [21] Appl. No.: 311,659

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 273/131 B, 273/131 K, 273/136 H A game for two, three, or four players involving four [51] Int. Cl. A631 3/02 sets of playing pieces, and a set of pieces which can [58] Field of Search 273/130, 131, 134, 136 R, be moved by any player. The game is played on a 1 273/136 H board having a grid of 13 by 13 stations. Of the stations, one group is indicated to be permanently of [56] References Cited special significance and another group is indicated UNITED STATES/ PATENTS to be of special significance during the Course of 695,431 3 1902 Atwood 273 131 K a single game by means of removable markers- 1,141,909 6/1915 DAutremont 273/131 K one embodiment the markers are the me one 1,160,348 11/1915 Watkins 273/131 BB tion and are individually removable a Second -2,282,128 5/1942 Gubbins 273/130 D bodiment a transparent envelope is secured to the sur- 3,155,391 11/1964 Chittenden 273/131 AD face of the game board and the markers comprise a 3,642,286 2/1972 Moore 273/131 K X plurality of cards having different patterns which cards FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS are interchangeably receivable in the envelope. 433,081 9/1967 1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures Switzerland 273/131 K n u1n Pmmmumzs mm 3;a44',563

sum w a FIG. 2 I 3 FIG. 4 F/G.5

CHESS TYPE GAME WITH CHANGEABLE BOARD INDICIA BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In view of the acceptance of chess as a national pas time by many of the advanced nations of the world, one

is forced to ask why a game possessing such universal appeal is not a significant element in modern American culture. The answer seems to be that Americansocial interaction suggests'activities that require more than two individuals. The obvious popularity of bridge and other games that involve two couples is recognized as implying that a game for four may be optimum. In view of this, it would seem logical that an attempt would be made to create a chess-type game for four people. Several problems arise which might not be obvious on first glance. To begin with, the normal chess board is not set up for four-sided play. Attempts at reorganizing the starting setup often lead to initial vulnerabilities and free-for-all openings that detract from careful and organized position development. Furthermore, if the initial-positional orientation of the board is always the same, the opening game often develops without variety, detracting from the excitement of the game. Lastly, the traditional form and terminology of chess make it less easy for casual players to recognize the true-to-life tactical situations that develop.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a game wherein some of the qualities of chess are present.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a game which can be played bytwo, three, or four people.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a game wherein the initial spatial orientation can be varied, either randomly orby agreement.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a game having a form and terminologywhich reflects contemporary social situations.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claimsappended hereto.

- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structural forms,

as illustrated bythe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of game apparatus em- I bodying the principles of the present invention, and

FIGS. 2-6 are plan views of possible variations of the apparatus. 7

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, wherein are best shown the generalfeatures of the invention, it can be seen that the game is played with apparatus, referred to generally by the numeral 10. The apparatus consists of a board 11, four sets of pieces 12, a fifth set of pieces 13, and nine removable squares 14.

The board 11 has an upper surface 15 carrying a pattern of l3 by 13 squares of alternating, contrasting color. The four squares at each corner of the pattern are indicated to be different from the remainder by being of different color, but .with this exception and its size (13 X 13), the board has the appearance of a normal checkerboard. Numbers and letters are printed along two adjacent sides for coordinant identification of the stations. The removable squares 14 have an upper surface 16 of a color contrasting to all the other squares and a bottom surface 30 having means, such as pressure sensitive adhesive, by which they can betemporarily fixed to the board, covering squares of the pattern.

Each set of 18 playing pieces 12 consists of nine Soldiers 17, one President 18, one Prime Minister 19, one General 20, two Counter-intelligence Agents 21, two Armed Forces units 22 and two Industries 23. Also eight neutral pieces 13 are provided. The pieces are ini' tially placed in the squares as shown in FIG. 1, with variations discussed later. In both FIG. 1 and 2 are shown various positions of the removable squares.

The method of play involving the present invention will now be readily understood in view of the above description.

The game can be played by two, three or four players. There are four neutral zones" on the'board. The zones are located at the four corners of the board, with four squares in each zone. Any piece located in a neutral zone may be taken, but the piece taking it is also lost in the process.

In addition to the regular and neutral positions, there are also safety zones made up of the removable squares 14. Any piece on a safety zone is safe from capture.

Alternate safety zone configurations, as shown in FIG. 2, may be placed on the board for added game possibilities. The configuration used for a given game may be arrived at by agreement or chosen randomly using a die or a spinning wheel. a

A convenient way of providing for'interchange of the safety zone configurations is shown in FIG. 6, where the center of ,the board 111 is provided with a transparent envelope into which various cards 131 can be placed.

There are four sets of pieces representing political units or nations: black, red, white and yellow. Because of this political theme and because several players can participate the game is called Poli-Chess. Each set consists of 18 pieces: nine Soldiers, similar to Pawns in chess; one President, equivalent to the Kingin chess; one Prime Minister and one General, each equivalent to the' Queen in chess; two Counter-intelligence Agents, similar to the Bishops in chess; two Armed Forces units, similar to Knights in chess; and two Industries, similar to Castles in chess. Each piece moves as its equivalent in chess except the Soldiers which may move one space at a time in any direction (including backwards) and can capture any opponent by moving in any direction. Soldiers do not get an initialtwo space move, there is no en passant, and they do not be come another piece-upon reaching the opposite side. The President can move one square inany direction;

the Prime Minister and the General can each move any number of squares vertically, horizontally or diagonally; the Counter-intelligence Agents can move any number of spaces diagonally; the Armed Forces move one space vertically and one diagonally or one space horizontally and one space diagonally. lndustry goes horizontally or vertically. See FIG. 1 for the standard placement of the major pieces.

ln addition to the four sets, there are eight neutral pieces, two in each neutral zone. They are placed, initially, as shown in FlG. 1. Each player may, in his turn, move any neutral piece, instead of his own piece, up to three spaces horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to: (a) block an opponent from a move, (b) expose an opponent protected by the neutral, (c) unblock one of his or his partners men, or (d) to protect his or his partners piece. If any piece takes a neutral, that piece is also lost or sacrificed in the move.

The object of the game is to capture the opponents President. If a piece is in a position to capture the President, that player must say Poli-Check as a warning. If the President cannot avoid capture, then the captor says Poli-Mate. The President can be put in Poli- Check" or Poli-Mate" in a neutral zone but not in a safety zone." lfa President is in a safety zone, and all his pieces are gone, then there is a stalemate if any other move would put him in Poli-Mate."

Two Players:

If there are two players, then each player takes one set of pieces and they take positions at opposite sides of the board. The eight neutral pieces are also placed in their initial positions. A toss of a coin, or some other method, can be used to determine who goes first.

The two players may also play with two sets each. To win, both Presidents must be in Poli-Mate." When a President is placed in Poli-Mate," that President and all his remaining pieces are removed from the board leaving only one set for the player against the opponents one or two remaining sets.

When each player has two sets to begin with, the players decide whether their two sets are to be on alternate sides of the board or to be on adjacent sides. In the first case, the players alternate moves; in the second case, each player moves twice, once for each set and/or neutral piece, followed by the other player who has two moves.

Three Players:

If there are three players, each player takes one set of pieces. These pieces are placed along three sides of the board and the eight neutral pieces are placed in their initial places. Each player functions independently, with board position and sequence of play determined by some method of choosing or by use of a game wheel.

Team play is possible with three players by allowing two players to be allies and the third player having two sets of pieces. The third player has the option to have his two sets on opposite sides of the board, thus alternating with the opponents; or he may choose to have his two sets on adjacent sides of the board in which case he has two moves (one for each set and/or neutral) followed by each of his two opponents who may not confer or plan strategies. Players may toss coins to determine which players team together and who 18 alone.

The one player gets the first move. Four Players:

individual or team play is possible with four players. For individual play, players spin the game wheel, or determine by some other agreed upon method; their position on the board and the color of the pieces they will use. Players move in a clockwise order. As soon as any President is placed in Poli-Mate" all the pieces of that set are removed from the game and that player is out of the game. Players continue in sequence until only one wins, or a stalemate occurs with the last two players.

Players may choose teams or may become teams by using a game wheel. A player can only move his own pieces, or a neutral, not those of his partner. He cannot capture a piece belonging to his partners. Team members may not confer. In the event one President is placed in Poli-Mate (i.e., cannot be rescued by his own pieces or by his partner), all of his pieces are removed from the board and his partner must continue alone, alternating moves with his opponents rather than remaining in sequence.

Teams may be on opposite sides of the baord with players alternating with their opponents, or on adjacent sides thus allowing each team two consecutive moves but only by one player and his own pieces (or neutral) at a time. The placement of pieces (opposite or adjacent sides) and the sequence of moves can be determined by agreement, a method'of choosing, or by a game wheel. The game is over when both Presidents of one team are in Poli-Mate and/or in stalemate positions. lnitial Deployment Options:

The standard placement of the major pieces is shown in FIG. 1. The President is placed in the center position in the last row, with the Prime Minister to his right and the General to his left. To the right of the Prime Minister is one of the Counter-intelligence Agents; to the right of this Counter-intelligence Agent is an Armed Forces piece. To the right of the Armed Forces piece is an lndustry piece. Going to the left from the General is an Armed Forces piece, then a Counter-intelligence Agent, and finally an Industry piece. The placement of the Counter-intelligence pieces allows them to command different diagonal lines.

Although there is no equivalent move to castling," as in chess, before the game begins the players may agree to use non-standard formations. In this event, players will hide their back row and can arrange their major pieces any way they wish. When all are ready, positions can be revealed. At this point, no further changes can be made and the game begins.

Players can choose, agree or determine to change the safety zone" configuration before or after deploying their major pieces. Thus, the game may be played with the standard safety zone" configuration and standard deployment of men, with variations getting more complex and unpredictable up to hidden deployment followed by a random selection of safety zone configurations unknown even to the players until after they have deployed their men.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

of special significance in a second way,

wherein four similar but distinguishable sets of 18 pieces and an additional set distinguishable from the rest are provided, wherein a series of cards are the indicators, and a transparent envelope carried by the board into which a selected one of the cards can be placed thereby covering some but not all of the stations. 

1. A game including a board on which are provided 139 stations arranged in a square having four sides of 13 stations each, four stations at each corner of the square being indicated to be of special significance in a first way and including removable indicators which can indicate from time to time that certain stations are of special significance in a second way, wherein four similar but distinguishable sets of 18 pieces and an additional set distinguishable from the rest are provided, wherein a series of cards are the indicators, and a transparent envelope carried by the board into which a selected one of the cards can be placed thereby covering some but not all of the stations. 